Thermostatic valve



1936- H. M. DE ROCHEMONT 2,063,592

THER MOS TAT I C VALVE Filed June 20, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 8, 1936.

H. M. DE ROCHEMONT THERMOSYTATIC VALVE Filed June 20, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mwmz ' Dec. 8, 1936. H. M. DE ROCHEMONCII 2,063,592

THERMOSTATIC VALVE Filed June 20, 1932 5 SheetsSheet 3 Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFmE 17 Claims.

7 This invention relates to valves of the thermostatically controlled type and while it may find other uses, it has been designed more particularly for use in a hot water heating systemwhere hot water for other use, such, for example, as a domestic hot water supply, is derived from the heater for the system, as disclosed, for example in my patent, application Serial No. 465,293, filed July 2, 1930, for Heating system, now Patent No. 1,963,078, granted June 19, 1934, of which this application is a continuation in part. In accordance with that application the hot water boiler is provided with two heated water containing portions, as by cutting off one portion from the radiation system circulation, and from this portion heat for the other use is derived, provision being made for relieving from this portion to the radiation system when the temperature of the water therein rises to a predetermined point.

In accordance with a preferred form of this invention the valve is caused to open slowly to release the hot water of the auxiliary heating portion or section to the radiation system and to close this valve quickly as the water in this section cools.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a central cross section through a valve embodying this invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are sections on lines Z-2 and 3-3, respectively, of Figure 1.

Figure l is a View similar to Figure 3 but showing the parts adjusted for replacement of the fusible plug.

Figure 5 is a viewsimilar to Figure l, but showing another and preferred construction.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Figures 7 to 10 are views similar to Figure 6, but showing the parts in Figures '7 and 8 in successive valve opening positions and Figures 9 and 10 in successive closing positions.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic View of the system in which the valve or" this invention may be used.

Referring first to Figure 11, at l is indicated a hot water heater of usual type employing a plurality of vertical sections 2 which are fixed face to face to build up the desired length of hot water boiler. At 3 is shown the usual fire door and for the purposes of illustration an oil burner is shown at 4 for producing combustion in the heating portion of the boiler. Sectional boilers of this type commonly have their sections connected together for circulation of water, each of the sections having openings such as 5 at its lower end and such as 6 at its upper end. Commonly there are two openings 5 in each section at the lower end toward opposite sides of the boiler and one centrally located opening 6 at the upper portion. The sections are normally connected together by the use of hollow nipples as l which have tapered outer faces fitting tapered openings in the boiler sections. In adapting a boiler of this type for auxiliary heating, however, one of the sections such as 20., herein shown as the end section, is closed off at its upper end from the adjacent section 2. This may be done by any suitable means, but as shown the nipple 1 connecting these sections, has a pair of disks I0 bolted against opposite ends thereof by means of a central bolt ll having a nut I2 on one end. By this means the upper portions of the sections 2 and 2a are closed against the interchange of water, the lower portions of these sections, however, still being in communication with each other. If desired more than one section of the boiler may be cut out of the normal circulation. For example, two sections could be cut off from the remainder by positioning the closure disks on the nipple between the inner of these two sections and the remainder, all the nipples remaining open between these two sections.

All of sections 2 which are interconnected at both their upperand lower portions are included in the normal heating or radiating circulation, a radiator being shown for example at l5 connected by the hot water supply pipe Hi to the upper portion of a section 2 and a return pipe [1 being connected into the lower end of a section 2. Under normal conditions, therefore, the hot water from the radiating system is derived from the sections 2 of the boiler which are interconnected at their upper and lower portions, the section or sections 2a, if more than one section is employed, being normally cut off from the radiation circulation. The water of the section or sections 2a is then made use of for some other purpose, as, for example, for heating the domestic water supply. For this purpose an indirect heater of conventional form is shown at 20 having its heating water supplied through the pipe 2| from the upper portion of the section 2a and delivering cooler water from its lower end to the lower portion of the section 2a through the pipe 22. At 25 is shown adomestic hot water storage tank which is connected to the inner pipes of the indirect heater '20 as through the pipes 26 and 21 in the usual manner. A pipe 28 may lead off to a suitable point of use of the water so heated. Cold water may be supplied to the storage tank 25 as through the supply pipe 28. Since the boiler sections 2a are not included in the radiation circulation system the water therein under normal conditions becomes much hotter than the water in the boiler feeding to the radiation system since it is not subject to the cooling effect of the radiation system. Hence the water in these sections is normally of sufficiently high temperature to heat the water in the tank 25 to the desired point.

The water in the section or sections 2a may, however, become more. highly heated than is desired for heating the domestic hot water supply. Provision is therefore made for relieving this excess temperature into the radiation system so that when the temperature reaches a desired high point, the water in the section or sections 2a comes more or less into the radiation circulation system. While various means might be employed a thermostatically controlled valve is illustrated at 38 in Figure 11 for this purpose, and the present invention relates to such valve.

One form of the valve is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. As there shown it comprises an outer casing 48 having a cylindrical wall member 42 dividing it into two chambers, an outer chamber 44 and an inner chamber 45. Both of these chambers have a common back wall 46 and their forward ends are normally closed by covers as will later appear. These chambers may communicate with each other through ports 41 and 48. The port 41 is controlled by a pivoted butterfly valve 58 responsive to a thermostatic element shown at 5| positioned in the outer chamber 44. As shown this thermostatic element is fixed at one end as by the screw 52, partially surrounds the Wall 42 and at its other end is fixed through a link 53 to a lever 54 fulcrumed on a pin 55. The opposite end of this lever 55 is slotted as at 56 and riding in this slot is the cranked end 5? of the shaft 58 of the butterfly valve 58. The parts are. so arranged that as the water in the outer casing 4-4, which is led thereinto through a port 68 and pipe 6| threaded into the upper end of the section 2a, reaches a desired high temperature, the valve 5!! begins to open as shown in Figure 3, thus relieving the water from the outer chamber 44 through port 41 past the valve 58 into the inner chamber 45 from which it passes through a port 65 through a pipe 68 to the pipe |Ei of the radiation system. The outer chamber 44 has its open end closed off by an annular plate 10 fixed to the outer edge of the casing 48 as by screws 7| and in order that the temperature at which the valve 58 will commence to open may be regulated, this plate 18 is provided with a stuffing box at 12 to which is journaled a regulating shaft l3. This shaft carries a disk 14 on its inner end from which projects the fulcrum pin 55 eccentrically to the axis of the shaft 13'. By rotation of this shaft 18, as by the handle 75, the position of the lever 54 and the length of the lever arm engagement with the crank arm 5's" may be adjusted as desired. After the valve 58 has started to open it commences to open wider as the temperature in the boiler part to be relieved rises to a predetermined maximum when the-valve is wide open. The disk 14 is held against the inner face of the plate 10 as by means of a retaining element l5 fixed thereto.

It is desirable not only that relief be had from the sections normally out of the circulation of the radiation system through the thermostatically controlled valve, but also, to provide for any abnormal heat conditions, to provide such relief by means of a fusible plug 19. Such a plug is normally interposed in the port 48 but in order that when this plug melts and relieves the water it can be replaced without disconnecting the piping or permitting escape of water, it is shown as carried in a port 80 of a tubular member 8| which is rotatable within the Wall 42 so that it may be moved out of registry with the port 48 so as to cut off this port 48 when the fusible plug is to be renewed as shown in Figure 4. At the same time this member 8| is so designed that it closes off communication with the ports 4'! and 65. To this end it is provided with ports 84 and 85, which, when the port 80 is in registry with the ports 48, are in registry with the ports 41 and 65, respectively. The port 85 is in the rear wall portion 81 of the member 8|, these ports 85 and 65 being arranged eccentrically to the axis of the tubular inner chamber. This member 8| may be retained in the tubular chamber for rotation therein by means of the annular plate 18, the inner edge of which is shown as arranged in overlapping relation to a flange 98 at the outer margin of the member 8|. A pin 9| projecting from the outer edge of this member 8| and riding within the central opening in the annular mem ber l provides means by which the member 8| may be turned to bring its ports into or out of registry with the corresponding ports in the inner chamber wall. This inner chamber may be closed as by means of a closure plug 95 threaded into the member BI and provided with any suitable means such as a squared head 96 by which it may be grasped and turned. Outwardly of the plug 95 the inner chamber is further closed by means of a circular cover plate 91 bridging the central opening of the plate 10 and secured as by means of bolts 98. Whenever the fusible plug melts and it is desired to replace it, this may be done by removing the cover 91, turning the member 8| so as to bring its ports out of registry with the corresponding ports of the inner chamber and While the member 8| is in such angular position the plug 95 is removed and the fusible plug replaced. The plug 95 may then be replaced in position and the member 8| turned to bring its ports into registry with the corresponding casing ports whereupon the cover 9'! may be replaced. It is evident that this replacement may thus be done without interfering with the piping connections and yet without permitting the escape of any material amount of water while the replacement is being effected. The inner wall of the plate 9'! may be provided with a depression as at 98 to receive the end of the pin El and this may be so positioned that the cover cannot be replaced until after the member 8| has been turned to its normal angular position with its ports in registry with the casing ports. Of course, if desired the depression might be sufficiently extensive to permit the member 8| to be adjusted to more or less throttle the ports to provide for further adjustment of the rate of relief to the radiation system than provided by thermostatic control of the valve 58. This prevents the possibility of parts from being returned to apparently normal position with the fusible plug in inoperative relation and the port 41 controlled by the valve 58 in inoperative condition being blanked by the member 8|.

Referring to Figures 5 to inclusive, another form of valve construction is shown to be used at 38 in the diagram of Figure 11. This valve comprises a casing I which consists of a cylindrical shell IOI closed at one end by a cover I02, which, as shown, may have threaded connection therewith. A transverse partition I03 separates the space within the casing into a pair of chambers I04 and I 05. The chamber I04 has provided eocentrically disposed a fluid connection I00 comprising a nipple which carries a union I01. The chamber I0? is provided at one side with a, similar fluid connection nipple I08 and union I09. The partition I03 is provided with ports or openings therethrough, three being shown at H0, III and H2. The opening H2 is normally closed by means of a fusible plug H3. Opposite to this plug the wall II4 of the chamber I04 is provided with an opening H through which the fusible plug may be inserted or removed and which is normally closed as by means of a threaded plug H0. The ports H0 and III, as shown, are elongated and are arranged to be opened or closed by a rockable valve element I20.

This valve element is shown as pivoted on a pivot pin I2I secure-d at its inner end in the partition I03. It is shown as elongated in opposite directions to form a balanced valve construction on opposite sides of the pivot pin I2I and to extend well over the ports H0 and III when in such angular position that these ports are closed as is shown in Figure 6. The rear face of the valve element I20 is pressed against the forward face of the partition 03 as by means of a spring I22 bearing between a forwardly projecting hub portion 523 on the valve element and the base of a socketed plug I24 fixed to the outer end of the pin I2I as by means of a set screw I 25. To this valve element I20 is fixed, as at I30, one end of a thermostatic strip element I3I which is arranged in loop form, the loop extending toward and in proximity to the liquid inlet to the chamber I05.

This thermostatic element is of relatively thin material so as to be quickly responsive to temperature changes and as its loop portion extends toward the liquid inlet chamber I05 it is responsive quickly to changes in temperature of the liquid from this connection. As the element is heated its free end I32 moves away from the axis of rotation of the valve element, as is shown in Figure 7, while when this element is cooled it moves toward the axis as is shown in Figures 6, 9 and 10. A second thermostatic strip element of heavier material and thus slower in response to temperature changes is shown at I00. One end of this strip is fixed as at MI and from this end it extends in curved formation remote from the liquid inlet to the chamber I05, and its free end: I42 is connected through a link I43 to the free end I32 of the thermostatic strip I3I. As shown this link I43 may be adjustable in length, to this end being composed of a pair of elements I44 adjustably connected together by a screw and nut at I45 passing through slots in the elements I44, each of these elements having a free end portion I46 extending between the jaws of a hinge element I41, one of these hinge elements being secured to the free end of the strip E40 and the other being secured to the free end of the strip I3I. Stops I50 and I5I may be employed to limit the extent of rocking of the valve element I20.

When the temperature of the water in the fluid connection to the chamber 105 rises to a predetermined extent, the looped portion of the strip I3I opens as shown in Figure 7, thus increasing the lever arm through which the element I 40 must act in order to swing the valve element I20 toward its open position. This motion of the element I-3l is effected rapidly and before the element I40 has had an opportunity to be much affected by this temperature increase. When this element I40 is affected, however, it tends to straighten out and swing the valve to open position as shown in Figure 8. The initial movement of the element I3I also has some effect toward moving the valve to open position, as shown in Figure 7, but the motion of the valve which is effective to actually open the' ports is produced mainly by the motion of the strip I40 at. which time the lever arm through which it operates to turn the valve is relatively long so that a considerable motion of the free end of the strip I40 is necessary to produce a relatively small opening of the ports H0 and III and the opening is accordingly relatively slow. Opening of these ports causes the water in the section 2a of the boiler to be cut into the circulation of the radiator system, cooler water from this system flowing in to the lower end of the section 20; and rapidly reducing its temperature, the water passing out of the top of this section through the valve 30 and into the riser pipe I9. This cooler water then striking the loop portion of the thermostatic strip I3 I, causes this to bend inwardly pulling its free end toward the axis of the valve as shown in Figure 9, thus tending partly to close the ports I I0 and I I I, but as soon as this drop in temperature has had sufficient time to act upon the element I40 its free end begins to move downwardly and as the lever arm through which it acts on the valve is then relatively short, due to the inward bending of the element I3I, a relatively small motion of the element I40 serves to complete the closing of the ports H0 and III, the closing accordingly being relatively fast, as shown in Figure 10. Further bending of the element I40 in response to the temperature change may bring the valve to its limit of closed position as shown in Figure 6.

It will thus be seen that with this mechanism the valve opens relatively slowly for a given rate of temperature increase to relieve the highly heated water from the boiler section 211 and then closes relatively rapidly for the same rate of temperature decrease, as soon as suflicient relief has been effected, it having been found in practice that the cooling of the water in the section 2a takes place rapidly as soon as it is cut into circulation with the radiation system and that a prompt cutting off of this relief is highly desirable to prevent undue cooling of the water therein.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A casing having a chamber provided with inlet and outlet ports, a hollow member movably carried within said chamber and having ports registering with said chamber ports in one position of said member and closing said chamber ports in another position of said member, a fusible plug in one of said member ports, a removable closure for said chamber, and means accessible while the closure is in closing position for moving said member from one to the other of said positions.

2. A casing having a cylindrical chamber provided with inlet and outlet ports and an open end, a tubular member rotatably fitting said chamber and having an open end facing the open end of said chamber, a removable cover for said open member end, said tubular member having a pair of ports registering with said chamber ports in one angular position of said member and out of registry therewith in another angular position of said member, and a fusible plug filling one of said member ports.

3. A casing having a pair of chambers one within the other and having a common end wall for said chambers and open at the opposite ends of said chambers, the inner of said chambers being cylindrical and having a port through said common end wall eccentric to the axis of said cylindrical chamber and a pair of ports on its side communicating with the outer chamber, a cylindrical member rotatable within said inner chamber and having an end wall engaging said common end wall and provided with a port registering with said casing end port in one angular position of said member and out of registry in another angular position, said member also having a pair of ports registering respectively, with said side ports when said end wall ports are in registry, and out of registry with said side ports when said end ports are out of registry, a removable end wall for closing said outer chamber and acting to retain said member in said cylindrical chamber, a removable closure for the open end of said member, said removable end wall having an opening through which said member closure may be inserted or removed, a removable closure for said opening, a fusible plug in one of said member side wall ports, a valve for controlling one of said cylindrical chamber side ports, and a thermostatic element in said outer chamber for controlling said valve, said outer chamber having a port opening outwardly therefrom.

4;. In combination, a casing having a chamber provided with a wall having a port therethrough, a member movable in said chamber and having a port which may be brought into or out of registry with said wall port, a fusible plug in said member port, said chamber having an opening through which access may be had for removal and replacement of said plug, and means removably closing said opening, said member being accessible from outside of said chamber for movement while said opening is closed to bring said member port into or out of registry with said wall port and when out of registry said member acting to close said wall port.

5. In combination, a casing having a wall dividing said casing into a pair of chambers, said Wall having a port therethrough, a member movable in one of said chambers and having a port which may be brought into or out of registry with said wall port, a fusible plug in said member port, said one chamber having an opening through which access may be had for removal and replacement of said plug, and means removably closing said opening, said member being accessible for movement while said opening is closed to bring said member port into or out of registry with said partition port.

6. In combination, a casing having a partition dividing said casing into a pair of chambers, said partition having ports therethrough. a member movable in one of said chambers and having a port which may be brought into or out of registry with one of said partition ports, a fusible plug in said member port, said one chamber having an opening through which access may be had for removal and replacement of said plug, means removably closing said opening, said member being accessible for movement while said opening is closed to bring said member port into or out of registry with said one partition port, a valve for closing the other of said partition ports, and a; thermostatic control means for said valve in the other of said chambers.

'7. In combination, a casing having inlet and outlet ports and a pair of chambers separated by a wall having a pair of openings therethrough, a fusible plug for normally closing one of said openings, a valve for closing the other of said openings, a thermostat element in one of said chambers, and connections from said element to said valve controlling the opening of said valve to an amount variable in accordance with the temperature of said element, said inlet opening communicating with one of said chambers and said outlet opening communicating with the other of said chambers.

8. In' combination, a valve casing having an opening, a valve for said opening, a thermostat element in said casing, and connections from said element to said valve including means effective to cause said element to unequally move said valve in opening and closing said opening during equal rates of increasing and decreasing temperature in said casing.

9. In combination, a valve casing having an opening, a valve for said opening, a thermostatic element in said casing, and connections from said element to said valve including means effective to cause said element to open said valve relatively slowly on a rise of temperature of said element at a given rate above a determined point and to close said valve relatively quickly on a temperature drop of said element at the same rate.

10. In combination, a valve casing having an opening, a valve for said opening, and a single thermostatic means for actuating said valve to both open and close said valve, including means acting through a lever arm of an effective length during opening movement of said valve different from its effective length during closing movement of said valve.

11. In combination, a valve casing having an opening, a valve for said opening, and means for actuating said valve including a single means acting through a lever arm of an eifective length during opening movement of said valve different from its effective length during closing movement of said valve.

12. In combination, a valve casing having an opening, a valve for said opening, and means for actuating said valve including a single means effective on said valve through a relatively long lever arm to open said valve and through a relatively short lever arm to close said valve.

13. In combination, a valve casing having an opening, a valve for said opening, and a single thermostatic means for actuating said valve to both open and close said valve effective thereon through a relatively long lever arm to open said valve and through a relatively short lever arm to close said valve.

14. In combination, a valve casing having an opening a pivotally mounted valve for said opening, a relatively quick acting thermostatic strip element connected to said valve and having a free end movable in response to temperature changes from and toward the axis of said valve, and a slower acting thermostatic strip element having one end fixed and the other end operatively connected to the free end of said quick acting strip element.

15. A device of the class described comprising a casing having a wall provided with a port therethrough, a valve element pivotally mounted to cover or uncover said port, a looped thermostatic strip having one end connected to said valve and the other end free to move from or toward the axis of said valve with change of temperature, said casing having a pipe connection communicating therewith adjacent to the loop of said strip, a thermostatic strip of slower temperature response than said looped strip remote from said communication and having one end fixed, and a link connecting the free ends of said strips.

16. A casing having a wall provided with a port therethrough, a valve element pivoted to said wall to move across the face thereof and close 'or open said port, a looped thermostatic strip in said casing secured at one end to said valve "and having its other end free to move from and toward the axis of said valve in response to temperature changes, said casing having a fluid inlet adjacent to said looped strip, a second thermostatic strip in said casing remote from said inlet and of slower response to temperature changes than said looped strip and having one end fixed, and a link connecting the free ends of said strips.

1'7, A casing having a wall provided with a porttherethrough, a valve element pivoted to said wall to move across the face thereof and close or open said port, a looped thermostatic strip in said casing secured at one end to said valve and having its other end free to move from and toward the axis of said valve in response to temperature changes, said casing having a fluid inlet adjacent to said looped strip, a second thermostatic strip in said casing remote from said inlet and of slower response to temperature changes than said looped strip and having one end fixed, and a link connecting the free ends of said strips, said casing having a fluid connection to the opposite side of said port from said valve.

HENRY M. DE ROCHEMONT. 

